Pittsburgh Pennsylvania – The Bank Tower aka People’s Saving Bank – Circular Bronze Staircase
Image by Bill Badzo
One of the city’s first skyscrapers, this 16-story structure opened in 1902 as the People’s Savings Bank. Designed by Boston architects Alden and Harlow, the building was part of Pittsburgh’s Wall Street, anchored by Fourth Avenue, Wood Street and Forbes Avenue.
The Bank Tower abounds with architectural gems. Its exterior is studded with monumental figures carved by John Massey Rhind, who created the sculptures of Andrew Carnegie, Johann Sebastian Bach and William Shakespeare that adorn Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland.
The Bank Tower survived its share of economic downturns plus an effort to make it part of a mall. In 1976, architects and investors joined The Bank Tower with four other historic temples of finance to create The Bank Center. The million arcade, with a main entrance on Wood Street, featured a movie theater, restaurant, cafe and 20 shops. The elegant space included 40-feet-high marble Corinthian columns, a carved marble staircase and a hanging bronze clock
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